IT Cosmetics: Its My Confidence Retreat at Foxhill Manor

A winter getaway in the Cotswolds

Yesterday evening, I joined twenty girls and boys from the blogging world for an escape to the Cotswolds with IT Cosmetics. Merging influencers in body image, fitness, beauty, fashion, music, everything you can think of, we spent the night reflecting on confidence.

The notion of confidence is at the heart of everything that IT Cosmetics does, and their mission is to instil confidence with all of their products. I was fortunate to visit the IT head office last year and met lots of their team from all parts of the business, and I truly believe that they all unite in this mission.

Unlike most events I go to which revolve around sharing beauty newness with fellow journalists in beauty, this was new and exciting for me because there were so many faces from different disciplines. I love meeting new people and I was so excited to hear different stories and journeys. Jake Jamie and I, the two Birmingham exports, took to the train and headed on our way.

When we arrived at Foxhill Manor, our first task of the day was to take a dance class. Seen on Screen Dance travelled from London to teach us the Beyonce Run the World routine. Their energy was incredible and they took us from being completely shy to all bursting out of ourselves to perform.

They also split us into groups and encouraged us to scream for one another, put the smoke machine on and a big fan, and made us all feel like Beyonce from head to toe. The IT girls had made us IT vest tops and trainers that said “werk it” for the class and we all felt like such a team in our matching outfits!

After a celebratory drink or two we all took to our rooms wherein the IT girls had created something of a beauty treasure trail for us. On my bed were customised ‘Rose’ pyjamas ready for our night in.

At my table was an IT Girl make-up bag filled with all of my favourite make-up essentials.

To the right of my bed was a confidence candle and book, two little treats for night time, and to the left were the three new lipsticks ready for me to enjoy in the morning.

Finally, in the bathroom, a complete confidence skincare regime ready to wash the day away.

Our evening agenda gathered a unanimous sigh of relief from the whole party – we were having a big slumber party. Before we settled down, I wanted to really take in the country and went for a big long walk with Mel to enjoy the grounds and the huge moon that was out.

Every one of us down in our pyjamas, we took to an enormous living room to relax, eat burgers and nachos, and drink prosecco on tap while we chatted and got to know one another.

Once dinner was through, we moved into a big cinema room complete with cosy throws, cushions and couches and piled in to watch Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. As we relaxed popcorn and hot chocolate did the rounds. It was literally like a sleepover from a movie. We went to bed feeling full of love and with lots of new friends.

This morning, seeing as we had spent this time bonding and sharing, the IT girls hosted a breakfast for us and wanted us to share our own confidence messages. We took to the breakfast room and were met with a long table, dressed with roses, and told to “find your face”.

I was at the very head of the table, and Top Shelfie Illustrated had illustrated photos for each of us. Mine was of me and my special cat, Newby, who has not long passed away. I couldn’t believe our illustrations were from this girl, I already follow her on Instagram and I really love her work, and the thoughtfulness of the IT girls to include Newby in my photo just blew me away. I cried the moment I saw it.

At breakfast, we all went round the table and shared our own special stories. I don’t want to share them because it was a private moment, but there were so many laughs and tears, I found the whole experience really moving.

Afterwards, we all reconnected and I managed to speak to a few people who I didn’t get to yesterday, and by home time I felt that I’d managed to spend some time with everyone in the circle.

In encouraging us to get to know one another and feel inspired by one another, the IT girls completely took us on a confidence journey. The logistics of the getaway were beautiful, and all of the thoughtful touches made everything so special, but what we really got from our trip was the luxury of time together and experiences shared. When I got home I spoke to my friend on the phone who said I had to write down everything I had experienced while it was fresh in my head, and truthfully this post has been something of a love letter for me, to remind me of the amazing night we all just had.

I can not tell you how much I love IT Cosmetics. I’ve always said that their products are wonderful, but everything they stand for at the heart of their mission is what sets them apart. Jamie, their founder, has such a true love for celebrating real women and empowering them and it just shines through in every person that she finds to join her team and mission.

Thank you Mel, Colby and friends old and new for the most special getaway ever. X